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USNS Spearhead Arrives in Belize for SPS-JHSV 15

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS150804-17
Release Date: 8/4/2015 4:15:00 PM

By Capt. Gary D. Loten-Beckford, SPS-JHSV 15 Public Affairs

BIG CREEK, Belize (NNS) -- USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) arrived in Belize, Aug. 3, to offload adaptive force packages (AFPs) during Southern Partnership Station-Joint High Speed Vessel 2015 (SPS-JHSV 15).

SPS-JHSV 15 is a U.S. 4th Fleet deployment designed to strengthen civil and maritime capabilities with regional partner nations in the Central, South American and Caribbean areas of responsibility.

'The SPS-JHSV 15 mission is structured around subject-matter-expert exchanges with our partners, building partner capabilities, humanitarian aid and disaster relief and training together to prevent counter-illicit trafficking all of which serve our shared interests and values throughout the region,' said Capt. Robert J. Cepek, mission commander of Southern Partnership Station-Joint High Speed Vessel 2015.

'During SPS-JHSV 15 we will train alongside our partners in Belize and further explore and leverage the Spearhead's capabilities. The U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of operations is the perfect environment to accomplish these goals for the current SPS-JHSV missions and SPS-JHSV missions of the future.'

This is the second time USNS Spearhead is dropping off AFPs and military equipment in Belize.

The adaptive force packages are comprised of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Platoon, Navy divers assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 and a Navy mass communication specialist diver.

Each unit will spend time working with the Belize Defense Force to strengthen relationships and employ defense forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability and build enduring partnerships that foster regional security.

The AFPs are scheduled to remain in Belize to work with the Belize Defense Force until August when JHSV 1 returns to reload and transport service members to continue the SPS-JHSV 15 mission.

SPS-JHSV 15 is a U.S. Navy deployment focused on subject matter expert exchanges with partner nation militaries and security forces. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet employ maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations in order to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships that foster regional security in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.